#548 Developmental Delay By Abby Sakovich, M.S., CCC-SLP Developmental delay is a special educaon eligibility category defined by the Individual with Disabilies Educaon Act (IDEA). It is assigned when children do not meet the expected milestones in several areas of development. IDEA addresses developmental delay under two parts. Part C covers children who are younger than the age of three and Part B covers children ages three to nine years old. It is important to note that each state has the ability to add to the definion of developmental delay outlined by IDEA. States also have the ability to choose the age range of children developmental delay will cover (i.e., any range between three and nine years old.) A disability is something a child can make progress towards improving, but it is likely it will not be outgrown. A delay is something a child can make progress towards improving and likely will overcome. Children with a delay may reach the developmental milestones later as they grow and mature, especially with the right intervenons and supports in place. The Areas of Developmental Delay 1. Cognive Skills – These are required to think, learn, and solve problems. Delayed cognive skills may impede a child’s ability to learn to count, recall the names of colors, or learn and retain new words. 2. Social and Emoonal Skills – Relang to peers, expressing emoons, and the ability to modify behavior are all important skills when communicang with others. A delay in social skills may affect a child’s ability to ask for help, learn in a group, or communicate appropriately with peers and adults. 3. Communicaon Skills – Speech and language skills are also at risk for delay. Children with delayed speech and language skills may not meet developmental milestones like cooing and babbling at the appropriate me. As children age, they may have difficulty with recepve language (understanding) and/or expressive language (use). 4. Physical Development – Gross and fine motor skills are included under physical development. Children who experience fine motor delays may have difficulty wring, holding utensils, or grasping objects. Gross motor delays affect sing, walking, running, jumping, climbing, etc. 5. Acvies of Daily Living – Daily living skills are those needed to funcon independently throughout the day. These include bathing, geng dressed, and eang. Determining Developmental Delay If your child is under the age of three and you have concerns about his/her development in any of the areas listed above, contact your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may recommend a developmental screening—a quick, general assessment of your child’s skills. The results of the screening may or may not indicate a need for a more in-depth evaluaon, which may result in early intervenon services to address any weaknesses present. If this is the case, your child may be referred to a program designed to address the specific delays present. If your child is three years or older but not aending school, you can contact your local school district—even if your child does not aend school yet. The school district should provide informaon about whether your child needs an evaluaon under special educaon law, or IDEA. www.handyhandouts.com • © 2018 Super Duper ® Publicaons • www.superduperinc.com • © 2018 Thinkstock ® Handouts Handy Free, educaonal handouts for teachers and parents ®